National Republican., 1887-01-31
Appropriation for Roads Needed.


him.
Appropriation for Roads Needed.
The attention of Congress is invited to
the following extracts from the reports OF
the Quartermaster Generals Department to
the Secretary of War relative to the neces-
sty OF appropriating money for the con-
struction ofroads to connect with the bridges
crossing the Potomac to Arlington Ma
tional Cemetery.
In May next there will be a National
Drill in Washington, in which will be rep
resented the flower of the citizen soldiery
Of the United States. The closing day will
be on Decoration Day, and the ceremonies
will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
Many thousand citizens from all portions
of the country will visit Arlington on that
day. The War Department has repeatedly
asked for appropriations to improve the
roads between Columbia pike and Aque.
duct bridge. This road connects both
bridges, the Long bridge AMI Aqueduct
bridge, with Arlington Cemetery. The
fact that the Aqueduct bridge was
objection to making an appropriation
for the improvement of the road stated.
This objection has been removed by the pur-
chase of the Aqueduct bridge by the gov
eminent. 1t is simply disgrace that this
work should not have been done long ago,
as recommended by the army officials In
charge.
The recent purchase of the Arlington estate,
under special authority OF Congress, and the
perfection Of the title thereto, have placed the
ownership OF these grounds beyond contro-
The tract covers an area of some l,lOO acres.
Or this the National Cemetery occupies about
sixth. The grounds OF the cemetery, taste.
| fully laid out and appropriately onamented,
have been provided with substantial and per-
| manent mprOvements-roads, drives, and en-.
trances-and with the care and attention de-
| voted to their maintenance always present a
| handsome and attractive appearance. This
Seme,eiyh yhmi IN feay Is not Only place s,e oi Sc
| complete within ITSELF and 1t seems but fitting
| that 1t should form part OF the comprehen-
|
| OF the water front Of the city contemplated and
| innugurated by special direction of Congress.
The present means OF approach to this ceme-
teIy from this city is BY the Aqueduct bridge.
and at times almost impossible. The i'm.
| provement of this road has been repeatedly
recommended, and the estimates for the cur
| rent year included an item for these repairs,
| but no appropriation was made.
In view of the recommendation that a new
means of ofapproach be provided by the con.
NtTtna nj N hFth hnn n hn N Iva
park with the grounds. of this cemetery, the
| revuest for AN appropriation for the repair OF
this road is not renewed. s. B. MoLiAIP9IHD',
Hon. RoBT. 4. LINCOLN.
| Secretary Of War.
Upon the recommendation of the depart.
ment of justice the sum of sl26, 900 of the pur-
| chase money was, by the direction of the Sec
Iet9sry s. Of ~ War paid Nay Is, 1883, the ba,ance
against the estate for taxes shall have been
satisfactorily settled.
The plan adopted for the improvement of the
| Potomac river in and about the ha-bor o.
Washington, authorized by recent legislation
| and which contemplates the conversion OF the
river flats into handsome park, suggests the
pIopriety OF extending these Improvements to
The Arlington grounds cover an area OF ], l0C
acres, with a frontage of nearly mile on the
south banks of the Potomac.
The reclamation of the flats, as projected
and now under way. will give 10 the city a
park of some 700 acres, extending almost to
the Virginia shore. To connect this park with
the Arlington grounds, by means Of Il bridge
will more than double this area, and afford
much needed means of convenient access Il
the Arlington Cemetery and the post of For
Myer.
The national cemetery itself has alread,
been made beautiful and attractive figure o
the suburbs of the city. 0rnamented with
been added: improved with many han isoIn'
avenues and drives; provided with substantial
and imposing entrances, and maintained witt
care, 1t is wanting only in facilities TO reach Il
conveniently and pleasantly.
With its advantages of location, command
Ing, as II does. the river and.city, and form!n
| the very background of the Landscape. 1
seems intended by nature as essential to th
completeness Of the improvements now beln
made in close proximity TO It's borders.
sons Which may Justly be- urged in MI avor @ f
proposition, submit the suggestion Tor con
sideratiop. R. y. B1TcHELDER,
Deputy Quartermaster General, q. S, A., II
Charge Ui National Cemeteries.
Attention has heretofore been called to tn,
condition OF the road between the Aqueduc
| bridge and the Arlington National Cemetery
| This Cemetery-the most beautiful and historl
Of It's kind.is visited by thousands of peopl
yearly, and II seems proper that this publi
highway should be made and kept passable a
all seasons Of the year at the expense OF th
Quartermaster General, Brevet Major General
THE HONORABLE SECRETARY OF WAR.
The road leading to the Arlington Cemeter,
from the Aqueduct bridge remains in the con
dition heretofore rel orted. II is deeply to b.
regretted that these beautiful aud historic
grounds should not be more readily accessible
and renew the recommendations OF my pre-
I decessors that the present road be improved
by the United States. In view of the fact tina
the cemetery roads above mentioned hay
been, or will be, built at government expense
| a 10 Z,
grant similar aid In this case. The Arlington
Cemetery is the largest of any of the na,iona
cemeteries, and its immediate proximity I,
the capital of the nation renders 1t an oblec
Of grea interest but II can now be reache,
only over wretched road, which, at all time
bad, is, during the winter sesson, when ther
are 30 many visitors from all parts OF the coun
try, practically impossible.
| X. n. BATCHRLDER,
Deputy QuarteImaster General U. $. A.. Il
charge of National Cemeteries.